The first thing that comes to our mind when you are about to travel to the land of the Rising Sun, aka Japan in spring, is definitely: SAKURA. Sakura flowers or cherry blossom are what always attract the attention of many people, both local residents and tourists like me. The cherry blossom season is connected with the Hanami or Flower Viewing Tradition. Many people can be seen picnicking with family, friends, friends, and relatives under the blossoming Sakura trees. Do you wish to experience the ambience of a picnic under the Sakura tree? Take note of the following: First, because Sakura tree branches are easily broken and damaged, and are prone to diseases that can quickly wilt the flowers and foliage, never pluck the branches, never shake the branches or twigs, and never pick the blossoms. Simply enjoy yourself. Take photos and movies, but leave the blooms on the trees. Second, because the Sakura tree's roots are shallow, only 30 to 60 cm below ground, avoid sitting on a seat or other hard object under or around the tree trunk. How do you determine a safe distance to sit under a Sakura tree? Look it up. If you look up and immediately notice a tree branch, you are still too close. However, if you stare directly at the blue sky, which is not obscured by tree branches, it signifies that the distance you are sitting under the Sakura tree is safe. Third, keep it clean. Just leave your pleasant memories under the Sakura tree, but don't leave your rubbish. Hanami is more than just picnics; it may also be enjoyed by taking a walk in the park while seeing the Sakura blossoms. If you want to see Sakura, visit Japan between the end of March and early May, depending on location and weather conditions. Sakura usually blooms for 1-2 weeks. Where can I find them? Chidorigafuchi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, and Rikugien Garden are all in the Tokyo area. In the Kansai region, you may visit Osaka Castle, Himeji Castle, and the Kamogawa River. If you are in the Kyushu region, you can visit Maizuru Park in Fukuoka, Kumamoto Castle, and Kikuchi Keikoku. In the Hokkaido region, you can visit Moerenuma Park or Maruyama Park in Sapporo. Enjoy Sakura at Sakura Country, Japan. Ssssttt... the Sakura plant's blooms and leaves are edible, you know. You can try it on Sakura-Mochi snacks, ice cream, Dango, and other goodies. Obviously, sakuramochi is a seasonal food to be enjoyed during the cherry blossom season in early spring. While it’s not impossible, you will be hard pressed to find it outside of this time. Tokyo’s Sumida River and Chomeiji Temple are particularly famous for its creation, but sakura mochi can be enjoyed throughout the country with local variations adding to the experience. There are two major styles in general: Kansai and Kanto. Sakuramochi in Kansai is famed for being prepared from Domyoujiko (rice powder from Domyouji Temple) in Osaka--this rice powder has been utilised by warriors for more than 1000 years since it is convenient to transport on lengthy marches. Kanto mochi is produced using flour that has been soaked in water, dried, and lightly baked, resulting in a delicate shell surrounding the gooey centre. During cherry blossom season, both Kanto and Kansai sakuramochi can be obtained throughout the country at supermarkets, convenience stores, and street vendor stalls. Photo sakuramochi from: https://arigatojapan.co.jp/
0 Comments
JR PASS stands for Japan Rail Pass. With this card, we can use the Shinkansen, often known as the Bullet Train. Fast train tickets can be purchased online, for example, through the Klook app, Traveloka, or through Indonesian travel agencies. The validity term of the JR Pass can be set to 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days. Select based on your trip requirements. Prices range from approximately 3.5 million Rupiah to approximately 7.5 million Rupiah depending on the validity term. I bought it three weeks before my trip on the Klook app. Please select the pick-up or exchange order delivery date when purchasing a JR Pass. I elected to pick it up personally at the JavaMifi kiosk in Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on the same day as the flight, 4 hours before departure, so I wouldn't be late for my trip. To obtain an Exchange Order, present your passport and proof of purchase to the employees at the JavaMifi booth. Save this Exchange Order carefully because you must exchange it for the actual JR Pass when you arrive in Japan. When you arrive in Japan, proceed directly to the JR office or JR East Travel Service Centre to exchange the Exchange Order for the genuine Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). You can tell the officer when you wish to start using the JR Pass. Your JR Pass ticket will be validated and will be valid from the validation date forward. Let's start with how to use it: Because this Shinkansen station is frequently located in the same building as a commuter train or underground station, make sure to read the signs. Make sure to enter via the Shinkansen ticket door or gate. We can enter through the automatic door, which is also used to enter the underground or Metro. Insert the JR Pass card into the ticket reader; don't forget to take the JR Pass card back after you exit the automatic gate; if you don't, the card will lost and cannot be replaced. You can use this ticket either with or without reserving a seat number in advance. I order a seat more frequently because the trip is long and I need a place to store my large suitcase. After purchasing a Reserved Seat Ticket, follow the signs for the train's name and number, then stand for the carriage number (CAR) stated on the ticket. If you have a seat reservation number (Reserved Seat Ticket), please sit in the designated seat number. If you don't have a Reserved Seat Ticket, sit in a non-reserved carriage. Officers occasionally come to verify tickets; if you don't get a warning, that's fine. Have a wonderful tour around Japan... JAPAN? How could it be? This is my personal testimony about how God took me to Japan. I wanna share this because I want everyone to know how great is our God! It’s started in 1997. I like to watch Japanese movies and dorama. Many positive things I could learn from there. I love when they said the word “Ganbatte Ne!” I think it’s a powerful word! When they say to people it’s just encouraging them. It’s like believing in yourself, you can do it! Do your best! And that’s true! From their collapse, they can rise again and get their power back. But... I saw they just lean on their own understanding and their own strength. NO GOD! I was so sad to know that. Because I remember in the bible that said: “"Cursed [is] the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5” That’s why from 1997 – 2007 I always pray so that all Japanese may know Jesus, and have their personal experience with God. I bought Japan Map and put it on the wall of my own room. Every day I lay my hands on the map and I pray for Japan. Because I have fallen in love with Japan, and I do really want all of Japan covered by the blood of Jesus. Sometimes I was thinking, “why japan? Why not the other country?” But I learn to obey God’s voice and keep praying for Japan. And then... on April 2007, God allowed me to be sick and was dying. So I start to pray... “God, if this is Your time to take me to heaven, I still have 1 (one) request for You. If it’s true that You love japan, and that You are the one who gives me a passion for japan, please give me a chance to step into japan. So that all the places in japan where I step my feet on it, covered by the blood of Jesus, and all the people who are walking on that place be healed and know Jesus. If You allow me to go to japan, anytime You call me home (Rest In Peace), I’m ready. In the name of Jesus, I pray... amen.” GOD IS SO AWESOME!!! As soon as I said “amen”... someone came over to me, and said, “Hey Arnie, He told me that you wanna go to japan? Pray again, ask God, when He wants you to go, I will prepare all the money for you.” Wow! I was so surprised... and everything by God’s grace... going well.... and finally, I was there in Japan from October 2007 – January 2008. October 2007 – January 2008 Finally, I was in Japan. I did prayer walking. And I was with my great new friends from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) – Hawaii. Together we did prayer walking in Osaka. And we also did prayer walking around AMEMURA. Praise the Lord! Some people open their hearts and received Jesus and got healed and also baptized! God is sooooooooo amazing... And so many many miracles that God did to us and to all the new believers. God also took me to Tokyo in His Miraculous way for a Countdown 2008 in Tokyo. I was with Pastor Abe-san and her wife ‘Naomi san’, their little baby ‘Israel chan’, and also with Daisuke (a Japanese singer). We were in the same car on the way to Tokyo. God is soooooooooo amazing.... God knows that I really wanna see snow. Because here in Indonesia we don’t have SNOW. And what a surprise! There, in Tokyo, God allowed me to meet and know new friends: Akane Kobayashi san (girl) and Yosi Hara kun (boy) who took me to see the snow and slide on the snow in Fuji Ten. WOW! What a miracle! Fujiten Snow Resort
The resort extends over the foot of Mt. Fuji Not just that, God allowed me to meet Atsuko Megumi san who is the reporter for Japan Revival Times (www.revival.co.jp )and then I got interviewed and the newspaper published in Japan. WOW! There’s a picture of me in that newspaper when I was singing a worship song as a Worship Leader at Izumi Kirisuto Eikou Kyoukai God is so amazing, I remember this song: "And now... let the weak say I am strong.... and let the poor say I am rich... because of what the Lord has done.... for us.... give thanks...“ OBEY GOD! STEP IN FAITH! OUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS THAT WE NEED EVERYTHING!” One last important thing: I’m totally healed by the Holy Spirit when I keep singing praises to God in Japan. Praise the Lord!!! GOD HAS A PERFECT TIMING FOR EVERYTHING. LEARN TO WAIT ON HIM. THIS BRINGS HIM HONOR, AND IT BRINGS YOU PEACE. (PSALM 27:14) |
JAPANこんにちは Archives
March 2023
Categories |